4 Dems file for county board pres.

Monday was the first day for candidates to file their petitions if they are running for office in Illinois. One of the most hotly contested races in the Chicago area is for Cook County board president.Despite pleas by some political activists, the Democratic Party field running for Cook County board president is as crowded as ever. The four challengers to incumbent Todd Stroger confirmed Monday morning they have no intention of dropping out and would like to be at the top of the February 2nd primary ballot.

The candidates showed up at the county clerk's makeshift filing center before it opened at 9 a.m.

"Most of them want to be first on the ballot. And so anybody in line at 9 o'clock has the opportunity to be first when we do the drawing," said Cook County Clerk David Orr.

Among those running for county board president, U.S. Congressman Danny Davis had the biggest parade. It featured an unnecessary cart for dramatic effect to carry what Davis said were many more signatures than the 8,500 needed for an official candidacy.

Fourth Ward Chicago Alderman Toni Preckwinkle was there with her own petition piles that looked even taller than those presented by Davis and Brown. She claims to be leading in the money raised department.

"We raised more than $400,000 in the first six months and that's more than everybody else raised. More than everybody else raised combined," said Ald. Toni Preckwinkle, (D) Cook Co. Board President Candidate.

Water Reclamation Chairman Terence O'Brien's campaign staff filed his petitions, which leaves incumbent Board President Todd Stroger as the only candidate not to file petitions this morning. There is a consequence.

"If there's six people running for county board president and four of them were in line at 9 p.m., we'll draw the names and they'll be one-two-three-four and anybody else will be five, six and whatever," said Orr.

President Stroger--who attended a rally supporting soon-to-be-laid off healthcare workers Monday afternoon...has until November second to file petitions supporting his candidacy for re-election.

Between November 2 and 9, the campaigns will scrutinize the signatures on each other's petitions to determine if those who signed are legally registered voters.

Congressman Davis also circulated petitions to run for re-election to Congress. He indicated Monday morning he has not ruled out a run for re-election. He said it depends on what might develop in the county board race between now and then.